Hyderabad: US President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants born in the country has sent shockwaves among immigrant communities, including an estimated 7.5 lakh undocumented Indians currently residing in the United States.American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, State Democracy Defenders Fund and Asian Law Caucus filed a lawsuit, on behalf of immigrant support organisations, arguing that the order violates the 14th Amendment.Although more lawsuits and legal disputes are being prepared by Democrat-backed organisations, the announcement has already sparked widespread discontent among Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian-origin.A study cited that more than 7.5 lakh undocumented Indians are currently in the United States, and the decision taken by Trump will severely affect not just those currently living in the US, but also future travellers.Deepa Kathi, a four-month pregnant IT professional in California, said “This decision has turned my joy into worry. I was hoping I could provide my child with a better future, but this decision has completely shocked me. I might return back to India with my husband soon.” Bhanu Kumar, a student pursuing MS in New Jersey, said “The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to anyone who is born in this country, irrespective of whether the parents are documented or not. The order is completely violating the base on which the USA stood.”Netizens too voiced similar opinions, with many saying Persons of Indian Origin (POI) will come back to India from the US. A user on X wrote “EO on birthright citizenship just encapsulated H1B visa holders too. Good luck keeping tech companies at bay.”For Indian families living in the US, the future remains uncertain, with many worried about the impact on their children’s lives and prospects.
Source link
